Updated March 16, 2026
Delegating to unregulated care providers
Use BCCNM’s Delegation to UCPs practice standard to decide when delegation is appropriate, set conditions, and evaluate delegation decisions.
Delegation permits an unregulated care provider (UCP) to perform a restricted activity that they are not otherwise authorized to perform. Delegation decisions are client-specific and require supporting employer policies.
Use this page to understand what delegation is, how to decide, and when to stop or revoke delegation.
Key standards
What delegation is (and is not)
Delegation is a client-specific process where a nurse temporarily transfers legal authority to a UCP to perform a defined restricted activity the UCP is not otherwise authorized to perform. A restricted activity is an activity that only practitioners with explicit legal authorization may perform. The nurse remains accountable for the delegation decision and responsible for overall nursing care (assessment, plan of care, conditions, and evaluation).
Delegation is appropriate only when the nurse can meet the expectations set out in the
Nurses: Delegation to Unregulated Care Providers practice standard.
Delegation is not . . .
- assigning non-restricted activities to a UCP
- a blanket permission that applies to all clients or all staff
Making a delegation decision
Use the requirements below to guide every decision:
- Client status: stable/predictable; low likelihood of complications
- Activity: appropriate to delegate; within the nurse’s scope/competence; permitted by employer policy; low risk of harm to client.
- UCP training: UCP has required competence for this specific activity.
- Conditions: clear steps, limits, expected findings, and when and how to report, escalate; nurse can support appropriately.
- Evaluation: nurse can monitor outcomes and reassess as needed.
- Collaboration: nurse makes delegation decision in collaboration with client.
- Employer policies: policies, processes, and supports are in place to support safe delegation.
- Communication and collaboration: is everyone involved in the delegation process aware of their roles and responsibilities?
The case study below shows how these requirements apply in a common clinical situation.
- Planning delegation for Mrs. Chen’s wound care
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Kim is a nurse in a long-term care (LTC) facility. She works closely with UCPs who deliver much of the day-to-day care based on nurse developed care plans.
One of Kim’s clients, Mrs. Chen, has a wound that requires regular dressing changes as part of care. Her overall health status is stable and predictable, her wound has been healing as expected, and there have been no recent signs of deterioration or complications.
Kim considers whether she can delegate the dressing change to the UCP at the facility.
Kim uses a structured approach to her delegation decision:
She considers what client factors would need to be present for delegation to be appropriate (e.g.,
stable/predictable client status, clear expected findings, low likelihood of complications).
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She reviews whether delegation of this activity is
permitted by employer policy, the practice context and supports that are in place, what UCP training is required.
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She identifies the competence the UCP would need to have (e.g., sterile technique, infection-prevention principles, recognizing abnormal findings, when/how to escalate).
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She determines the
conditions she would need to set (what the UCP can do, what they must not do, what changes must be reported immediately, what resources need to be available for the UCP, and how/evaluation will occur).
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She plans how she will
evaluate outcomes and reassess whether the delegation remains appropriate over time.
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She writes down the delegation in the care plan and ensures that the UCP, the client, and the team are aware of the delegation decision.
Before making any decision, Kim completes an assessment of Mrs. Chen’s wound. She notes increased redness and drainage compared to the previous assessment. These findings suggest the wound may be changing in a way that requires nursing assessment and clinical judgment. Because the wound findings have changed, the situation is no longer predictable and requires nursing assessment and judgment—so delegation is not appropriate today.
Assigning vs. delegating
Assigning and delegating both involve allocating care activities — but they are not the same.
Assigning
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delgating
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Not a legal transfer of authority; activities are part of usual role or job description.
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A process in which a nurse legally, temporarily transfers authority to a UCP to carry out a restricted activity that a UCP is not otherwise authorized to perform. |
Applies to non-restricted activities.
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Applies to restricted activities.
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Guided by staffing needs, care plans, and skill mix.
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Guided by the nurse’s professional judgment and meeting BCCNM’s Nurses: Delegation to UCPs practice standard. |
Example: Assigning a UCP to assist a client with daily hygiene.
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Example: Delegating the insertion of a suppositor
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- Assigning vs. Delegating
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Priti is coordinating care for several clients. The care team includes multiple UCPs who provide most day-to-day care under the nurse’s oversight.
Part 1 — Assigning
Priti reviews Mr. Lee’s care plan. He is well with predictable day-to-day needs.
The UCP role supports Mr. Lee with personal care and daily living activities, such as:
- toileting, hygiene, dressing
- transfers/mobility using the care plan approach
- meal set-up and assistance
This is assignment: the UCP is working within their usual role and training. Priti oversees the plan of care, makes sure the care plan is clear, and remains accountable for overall client care—including responding if Mr. Lee’s condition changes.
Part 2 — Delegating
Another client, Ms. Patel, is ordered daily a suppository to manage her constipation. [VB26.1]Inserting a rectal suppository is a restricted activity. Priti considers whether this activity can be to delegated to UCPs.
Priti proceeds only after she confirms:
- Ms. Patel’s situation is stable and predictable
- the activity can be delegated as permitted by employer policy
- the UCP has]completed training and has competence to perform it safely
- clear conditions are set (what to do, what not to do, and when to report results or concerns immediately)
- documentation and evaluation are in place, and delegation can be stopped if circumstances change
This is delegation: the nurse transfers limited authority to UCPs to perform a restricted activity for a specific client, under specific conditions, with ongoing nurse accountability.
When not to delegate
Delegation supports safe and efficient care, but it is not appropriate in every situation.
Delegation is not appropriate when:
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Not allowed: outside nurse’s scope/competence; prohibited by BCCNM standards or employer policy.
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Not safe: client is unstable or unpredictable; requires nursing judgment; communication or cultural safety concerns elevate risk.
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Not ready: UCP not trained; nurse cannot meet the delegation practice standard requirements; no opportunity to collaborate with client about delegation.
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Not supported: no employer policies or processes in place, or the setting does not support it.
Apply your understanding
Delegation requires sound judgment and accountability. Use the following examples to think through how you would apply the Delegating to Unregulated Care Providers practice standard.